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The Language Works ~ Journal Entries ~ Spencer 2 |
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~ TLW ~ Short Essays ~ Let's Discuss ~ Group Two ~ |
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S2~2: Who Were the Brothers Grimm?
Grim = Originates from Old German "grimm" meaning "fierce, cruel, savage". Both word and name
come from the same pre-Germanic sources.
Jacob (1785–1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786–1859), were German academics who collected
mainly Germanic folklore. If you know some of the tales that the Brothers Grimm compiled
(for example, Little Red Riding Hood) you will know some aspects are at the least fierce
if not cruel and savage in some cases. "Their father's death in 1796 (when Jacob was 11 and Wilhelm
was 10 years old) and this caused great poverty... and affected the brothers many years after." (Wikipedia).
At university, they developed a curiosity about German folklore. It turns out it became a lifelong
dedication for them. They popularized such stories as Cinderella , The Frog Prince , Hansel and Gretel ,
Rapunzel , Rumpelstiltskin , Sleeping Beauty , and Snow White . A collection of these tales
was first seen in 1812. By 1857 their first collectionwas revised and republished many times growing
from 86 stories to more than 200. Perhaps Walt Disney benefitted most from their efforts.
1) Do you know any folktales or other stories from your country’s history past or present? Please tell a story.
2) When you were a child, who told you stories or read you books? Were you influenced by folktales? Tell.
3) Are you old enough to tell stories or read to younger (your) children? What do (or did) you read?
4) Do you think folktales play an important role in young people’s development? If not, what influences young people?
5) Which of the Grimm brother’s folktales do you like best? Explain. Do you think some of them are too violent?
6) Are there any writers in your country who have collected folktales as the Grimm brothers did? Tell.
7) Are there any stories (folktales) you can share about your youth education? Why are they important to you?
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S2~3: Perhaps We Could Be Homeless Too
Let’s face it. Sometimes we have to raise, in discussion, difficult subjects alongside all the best events in our lives.
Anyway. In 2024, an estimated 150 million people worldwide were homeless and as many as 1.6 billion people
lived as squatters, refugees, or in temporary shelters (Wikipedia). When wild fires, earthquakes, or other
natural disasters occur, countless people become homeless. War is worse. I suppose anyone could become homeless.
Wildfires in California, for example, made even wealthy people homeless.
1) Do you think expressing your challenging life experiences to others helps you or not? Explain. See catharsis...
2) Are there any homeless people in your city or country? Where/Why/How/When/Who? Describe.
3) Do you have relatives, past or present, who have had hardships (home, debt, education, depression?) Share (or not).
4) What is the worst "personal disaster" or "painful experience" you have experienced. If you feel like it, please tell.
5) What makes you happy when you are blue? What makes you sad when you are happy? Explain.
6) Who is someone that can cheer you up? Who do you sometimes cheer up? Give an example.
7) What kind of disaster are you most worried about? In the midst of this, how would you persevere? Explain.
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S2~5: New Trends in Food: Fusion or Confusion
Tsai: There’s a big shift involving wellness and health. Before drugs, it was food that kept you healthy, so by eating tofu, soybeans, and drinking red wine, you probably won’t get cancer. The trend is coming back, and people are realizing that you are what you eat, and food is the next medicine. People want to remain healthy, and obesity is the No. 1 disease that’s going to destroy this world, so that’s going to keep Asian food popular.
Ripert: I think it’s going to be more "fusion" to the point where we won’t know whether it’s Chinese or Thai or Mandarin. Chefs are going to use more and more of those ingredients and techniques. The next trend is going to be Asian food in the streets. I don’t know how many years it’s going to take, but we’re going to see that soon. From The Daily Beast, July 3, 2017 (no longer available online)
Note: Ming Tsai focuses on East-West fusion cuisine and Eric Ripert is known for his French cuisine.
1) Can food keep you healthy? What are other factors that can cause disease? Explain. 2) What are the food trends in your culture these days? Are they healthy? Do you follow these trends? 3) Is obesity a problem in your country? Which age groups are most vulnerable? How can cultures address this issue? 4) Are there many fusion-style restaurants in your country? Describe the types. Or where do you eat out? 5) Can street food be as good as restaurants? Are there food trucks in your country? Are they safe/clean? Tell. 6) If you had a chance, what fusion food would you make for a party? What ingredients? Make a recipe. 7) What do you think about fine dining (expensive, exotic, course-style cuisine). Is it your cup of tea? |
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S2~1: The Wonderful Story of Rice (Click underlined words for links)
Rice is the seed of many kinds of grasses. Rice is a cereal grain. It is the staple food of over half of the world's
Population particularly in Asia and Africa… Asian rice may have been domesticated in China some 13,500.
There is some debate over this history as factual (as there always is…). Rice is a rich source of carbohydrates
which is the body's main fuel source. Carbohydrates can keep you energized and satisfied and are important
for fueling work and exercise. Brown rice, especially, is an excellent source of many nutrients…
There are more than 40,000 varieties... (paraphrased from Colorado State University )
1) Do you eat rice every day? If not, why not? If so, what do you eat it with? Tell.
2) What is the best recipe to eat with rice? What could be the worst? Explain.
3) What kind of rice do you buy and where do you buy it? Is it expensive?
4) Do you think rice is healthier than grains (like bread products)? What kind of bread do you eat? Tell.
5) Do you ever eat sushi? Where and how often? How is sushi rice different from other forms? Can you taste it?
6) Is rice used in rituals in your country (for example weddings in the US)? Explain.
7) Do you think new genetic forms of rice should be promoted (such as "golden rice")? Talk about it.
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S2~4: Cousins in Language: Nostalgia and Retro Style
Retro style imitates or copies "lifestyles, trends, or art forms from the past, including in music, modes,
fashions, or attitudes." It is said to be related to nostalgia. Nostalgia itself is a word compounded from
the Greek language (nostos = return home) and (algia = longing). Nostalgia can be triggered by
memories/events, books, poems, movies, TV shows, music, geography, and even Nature.
It is said "retro" is "detached" or without a sense of longing. Examples are clothing fashions, art, or design.
Vintage music can refer to music that was popular in the past. Retro music could be covers of past songs.
It’s controversial but nostalgic music and art has a strong connection to emotion.
See: Retro vs. Vintage vs. Antique (YouTube)
1) Do you have any interest in vintage culture in their original forms (music, art, fashion)? Tell.
2) In your country are there any forms of retro style (think about music and fashion)? Explain.
3) Do you have nostalgia for any people, places, or events from your past? Share.
4) Is there anything from your school life (elementary, middle, high, university) that brings back memory? Tell.
5) Are there any family members that collect antiques? What do they have? How about you? Explain.
6) Do you think past forms of culture recur in cycles? For example, could jazz become popular again?
7) Are there any coffee shops or other venues that offer a "retro experience"? Tell about it. |
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Contents:
1) The Wonderful Story of Rice
2) Who Were the Brothers Grimm?
3) Perhaps We Could Be Homeless Too
4) Cousins in Language: Nostalgia and Retro Style
5) New Trends in Food: Fusion or Confusion |
